Cash crisis threatens first superhospital

The future of London's first "superhospital" is in serious doubt today.

The Evening Standard has learned that the £800million project is "under serious review" amid complications with planning and costs.

The soaring cost of the flagship Paddington Health Campus is already under investigation by the government spending watchdog and the Treasury.

Today it emerged the

scheme has become so problematic it is likely to be scaled down, with crucial parts scrapped. Patient groups opposed to it reacted with delight.

The plan was to create a world-beating healthcare, teaching and research centre housing Paddington's St Mary's Hospital, the Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals under the same roof. But estimated building and planning costs have rocketed from £360million to £1billion.

Today it emerged a review is under way to work out how to make it viable. Building industry magazine Construction News will tomorrow reveal details of plans to scale down the project by cutting out either the Brompton or Harefield.

Today officials for the scheme denied it was facing cuts. Spokeswoman Lucy Goddard said: "The possibility of excluding Brompton has been considered, but purely because we are formally required to look at every option. We are still committed to the Health Campus, including Brompton."